Isotopes: Radioactive Atoms and Their Hidden Energy

Radioactive isotopes have unstable nuclei that break down over time.
This decay releases hidden energy in the form of radiation.
Alpha, beta, and gamma rays are the main types of radiation from isotopes.
Uranium-235 and Plutonium-239 are isotopes that power nuclear reactors.
Carbon-14’s steady decay lets scientists date fossils and ancient artifacts.
Medical scans use isotopes like Technetium-99m to see inside the body.
Some isotopes can destroy cancer cells by delivering targeted radiation.
The energy from radioactive decay also heats Earth’s core, driving geology.
Half-life measures how long it takes for half of a radioactive isotope to decay.
Though invisible, the energy of radioactive isotopes shapes science, medicine, and even our planet.